Wormwood and mugwort are native to North America, but the English have made use of the aromatic plant for cooking and brewing too. Wormwood has a full-bodied green foliage and white flowers. The leaves can be brittle, hard and short or lacy. It has been used in jams, jellies, juices and soups for hundreds of years.
Growing wormwood and mugwort is a difficult task, as they require good growing conditions in order to thrive and produce healthy, strong seedlings. Good growing conditions can be hard to find especially in a cold climate. But in spite of these difficult conditions, it is still possible to grow these plants. The secret lies in the kind of soil that is available around your home.
Wormwood and mugwort are two very hardy plants that can do well in most kinds of soil. But in southern parts of the US and other areas of the world where climate is pretty harsh, you might need to augment the amount of soil nutrients for these plants. Absinthium, an aromatic native plant, is also an ideal plant for growing wormwood and mugwort. This aromatic herb comes from South Africa and is commonly used as a spice.
The best growing conditions for wormwood and mugwort exist in well-drained clay soils. It grows to three feet wide and has dark green foliage. To assure an even more even growing condition, plant three feet wide rows of the aromatic herb in three separate groups. If the plants are set far apart, their collective foliage will overlap and make the three feet wide row appear as one.
In addition to Wormwood and Mugwort, you can also grow tarragon. Tarragon comes in a variety of colors, and there are even varieties that look like the leaves of the familiar allspice. Both the common and aromatic tarragon are cultivated as a spice, but the aromatic herb takes on a stronger flavor when it’s used in cooking. For growing wormwood and mugwort, there is no better alternative than the tarragon plant. When the plant is in the garden, it’s wise to place it next to a weed barrier or any other type of edge, so that it can grow up towards the main garden and not block sunlight or natural light from reaching the other plants.
Planting your favorite herbs in your garden is a fantastic way to add color and excitement to your space. Take some time to plan out your planting area and choose plants that will work best together. For example, planting garlic along with onions will produce a lovely, healthy effect. Or plant wormwood tea bushes alongside annuals or perennials that are best suited for shady environments.
To get the most from your new herbaceous perennial, it’s important to know how to care for them correctly. Wormwood is one of those herbs that really needs a lot of regular watering to ensure it stays healthy. Your watering schedule should be about every five days during the growing season, although you can actually plant your herbs between May and August. Be sure to check with your county extension office, since they will have specific information about planting requirements for your area.
When it comes to watering your plants, it’s important to remember that it should never be more than two or three times a week, since the leaves on mulch and moss will wilt if it gets too much water. Water your mulch and moss immediately after a rainfall, and water your leaves and foliage only once a week during the summer. With proper care, your wormwood will fill your garden with beautiful fragrant leaves and a wonderful aroma, making it a great addition to your home garden.